Feb 10, 2015

An Endocrinologist says that Diabetes is a condition that occurs when insulin is not produced, or is not utilized, properly in the body. Insulin is essential to keep the blood sugar level under control. Therefore, absence or improper functioning of insulin, increases the blood sugar level in the body, resulting in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. Although the exact cause for the lack of production of insulin, or its inactivity, is not known, there are several risk factors like obesity, family history, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, that can give rise to this condition. Now, according to studies conducted recently, it has been found that magnesium deficiency, or low magnesium levels, can also cause diabetes.

Deficiency of Magnesium and Diabetes

Magnesium is one of the major minerals required by the body to carry out several functions. Its health benefits include prevention of osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, treatment of high blood pressure, migraine and depression. However, studies have also claimed that magnesium plays an important role in prevention of diabetes mellitus (type 2), and also aids in preventing it from turning severe. According to research conducted by Swedish scientists, it was found that there was a considerable decrease in the risk of type 2 diabetes in people who had regular intake of magnesium, or whose intake was increased by 100 milligrams. So, how does this happen?

One of the major functions of magnesium is that it aids in carbohydrate metabolism. Therefore, it stimulates the activity of insulin which indirectly helps in controlling the blood sugar levels. Magnesium also plays an important role in energy production and utilization in the body. When the levels of magnesium drop, we can see the onset of metabolic disorders like diabetes. On the other hand, if the person is already suffering from diabetes, there are high chances of him developing complications like eye disorders or cardiovascular diseases. All these conditions grow worse if a person suffers from magnesium deficiency.

But, what causes magnesium deficiency in diabetics? You may be aware that frequent urination is one of the common symptoms of diabetes. This frequent urination leads to mineral loss in the body, and hence, magnesium gets depleted from the body, leading to deficiency. This deficiency of magnesium exacerbates the complications caused due to diabetes. Therefore, we find that magnesium deficiency and diabetes are closely related to each other.

We can say that the risk of diabetes mellitus can be reduced to a great extent by treating deficiency of magnesium. Therefore, it is essential to know symptoms of magnesium deficiency, and consult the doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Magnesium deficiency can be treated by including magnesium rich foods in your diet. Foods like spinach, bananas, halibut, almonds, yogurt, wheat bran and soy beans contain good amounts of magnesium and hence, these foods should be included in your daily diet. Secondly, the doctor may even advise the person to have magnesium supplements to cure the deficiency. It has been found that magnesium supplements are beneficial for people who suffer from uncontrolled diabetes. Supplements should be taken only on the doctor's recommendation, as their intake is based on the age, gender of the person; and severity of the condition.

It is wise to treat and prevent magnesium deficiency as early as possible because of its apparent relation to diabetes. Following simple measures like having a balanced diet every day will help in prevention of nutritional deficiency.